Asthma is a respiratory condition where the air passage of the patient is blocked and inflamed.
The patient experiences wheezing and shortness of breath.
There can be many complications pertaining to asthma, some being long term and even life threatening.
An asthmatic patient may face complications and symptoms which deem taking days off from school and work necessary because he is too sick, has had disturbed sleep or is struggling to cope with bronchial tubes that are permanently narrowed.
In some cases complications can even bring a patient close to death as he experiences an acute respiratory failure.
At times like this the most important thing is to get the patient to the hospital at once, where he is connected to the ventilator to help him to breathe and also is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
Long term complications pertaining to asthma are as follows:

• Nummular Eczema: This is a condition in which the patient's skin is inflamed and there are multiple lesions which look similar to ringworm marks.
  
• Fragile respiratory system: This problem is generally seen in children.
  Asthmatic children have very sensitive lungs and are also prone to infections like pneumonia, flu and bronchitis.
  Their respiratory system can be permanently damaged.
  Children can also be prone to sudden and unpredictable asthmatic attacks.
  
• Hemorrhage: Generally pregnant women who suffer from asthma encounter complications like hemorrhage, gestational diabetes and even premature delivery of the baby.
  The baby will suffer from complications like low birth weight and is also likely to develop breathing problems.
  

Other complications pertaining to asthma include heart diseases, problems in sleeping at night, ulcers and gastro-esophageal reflux disease as also stress and depression.
It is necessary for an asthmatic patient to have a balanced diet, follow a good fitness program and take his medicines regularly to minimize the complications pertaining to asthma.